SAN DIEGO, CA ― As a wave of experienced engineers and technicians retire, the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) manufacturing industry faces a critical challenge: this looming skills gap threatens production efficiency and the ability to provide high-quality products. Intraratio, a leading provider of Advanced Manufacturing enterprise software solutions, will be exhibiting in Booth 732 at the 2025 IPC APEX EXPO to showcase its innovative solutions platform designed to bridge this gap and enable manufacturers in today's dynamic environment and into the future. The event is scheduled to take place March 18-20, 2025 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

The SMT industry relies heavily on highly skilled engineers and technicians who deeply understand complex processes and equipment. However, with a significant portion of the current workforce nearing retirement, the industry needs additional qualified personnel and to retain deep technical process knowledge. This knowledge transfer bottleneck can lead to:

• Loss of critical internally developed process knowledge.
• Production slowdowns due to a lack of expertise in troubleshooting and maintaining equipment.
• Quality issues as new hires struggle to learn complex procedures from scratch.
• Increased training costs associated with onboarding a less experienced workforce.

Intraratio's latest innovation, AiCard, when utilized with our comprehensive MES and YMS solution addresses these challenges. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning enables Intraratio to empower manufacturers to:

• Capture critical knowledge from experienced engineers and technicians, ensuring it is retained and remains accessible to your organization and future generations.
• Automate routine tasks and workflows, reducing reliance on individual’s expertise, minimizing downtime.
• Provide real-time insights and analytics to guide data-driven decision-making, optimizing your production processes.
• Prepare new employees with readily available information and training materials to facilitate a faster and more efficient onboarding process and ensure high-quality product builds.

By leveraging Intraratio's platform, manufacturers bridge these skill gaps, maintain operational excellence, and secure a sustainable future.

Visit Intraratio in Booth 732 at the 2025 IPC APEX EXPO to learn how our solutions ensure your organization overcomes the challenges of knowledge transfer and workforce shortages.

For more information about Intraratio, please visit www.Intraratio.com 

LEESBURG, VA – The SearchWorks Group, a leading executive search firm specializing in the electronics manufacturing market, is pleased to announce the addition of Anthony Carter, CIR as Senior Recruiter, further strengthening its world-class recruiting team following the firm’s recent expansion into the PCB, Interconnect & Cable, Distribution, OEM, and Components markets.

With over 25 years of recruiting experience, Anthony brings an extensive background in full-cycle talent acquisition across multiple industries, including field sales, legal, finance, marketing, technology, consulting, program and project management, and IT/software development. Having worked for both recruiting agencies and corporate environments, he has successfully sourced and placed top professionals at leading organizations such as Microstrategy, Genesys, Dynatrace, and AARP.

"Anthony’s deep expertise in sourcing, interviewing, and offer negotiation will be beneficial as we continue to grow to deliver tailored talent solutions in the electronics sector," said Jeremy Vanselous, President at The SearchWorks Group. "His proven ability to enhance both candidate and client experience will be instrumental as we continue expanding our footprint in EMS, contract manufacturing, and adjacent markets."

What sets The SearchWorks Group apart is its unique blend of recruiting and industry expertise. Unlike traditional firms, SearchWorks combines nearly 20 years of dedicated EMS recruiting experience with direct, hands-on knowledge of EMS and contract manufacturing. This allows the firm to deeply understand the specific needs of both employers and candidates, ensuring high-quality placements that drive success.

For more information on The SearchWorks Group and its services, visit www.searchworksgroup.com 

INGLESIDE, IL – IDENTCO, a manufacturer of high-performance labels for the power equipment, electronics, transportation, and the general industrial sector, has launched an online storefront offering a one-stop shop for an array of labeling solutions.

The website shop.identco.com allows visitors to peruse and purchase the company’s durable, functional labels across a variety of categories, including those for printed circuit board (PCB) and electronic components, as well as solutions for reliable wire and cable marking. IDENTCO’s broad range of complementary ribbons and printers also are available through the online store.

“Our new online store is designed with customers in mind to provide the most convenient way to purchase and resupply IDENTCO’s wide range of mission-critical labels, ribbons and ancillary solutions,” says Shahela Ali, director of global marketing for IDENTCO. “The ability to place orders with just a few clicks helps expedite purchase order generation and overall delivery and exemplifies our commitment to customer satisfaction.”

Among the products available through the new site is IDENTCO’s DuraTrack series, a set of robust label solutions for printed circuit board (PCB) applications. The DuraTrack series provides PCB assemblies with comprehensive traceability – an increasingly attractive internal quality control and supply chain transparency feature for brand owners producing high-leverage electronics. Engineered for use in surface mount technology and throughout the entire assembly process, DuraTrack thermal transfer printable labels can endure harsh fluxes, the latest cleaning chemistries, and high temperatures encountered in today’s circuit board assembly processes.

The online storefront also will feature a selection of IDENTCO’s labeling and marking solutions for wires and cables, including DuraWrap and DuraFlag. Suitable for a variety of wires and cables, DuraWrap labels are self-laminating cable and harness products combining the functionality of traditional wire label wrapping with the convenience of fully automated self-laminating technology. The durable clear wrap-around area reliably withstands chemicals and scratches, ensuring markers remain both affixed and legible.

Meanwhile, self-laminating DuraFlag labels allow for easy and explicit flagging of wires and wire harnesses. This provides a simple way to identify and organize wires, even in harsh conditions such as high temperatures, moisture, and chemical exposure.

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL – BEST Inc., a leader in electronic component services, is pleased to announce the launch of its new lead tinning services, designed specifically for electronic components. Utilizing advanced robotic hot solder dip technology and adhering to the rigorous standards of GEIA-STD-006B for gold removal, improved solderability, and the ability to convert RoHS compliant components to time-tested tin-lead finishes.

Recognizing the growing demand for high-quality electronic components, BEST Inc. is committed to delivering superior lead-tinning solutions with expedited lead times. Our state-of-the-art equipment allows us to handle a diverse range of through-hole and surface- mount components, making it easier for clients to meet their specific production needs efficiently.

In conjunction with lead tinning, BEST Inc. is proud to offer component salvage services, providing customers with a sustainable option for recovering and reusing legacy and high value components. This not only helps in reducing waste but also supports the environment by extending the life cycle of essential electronic parts.

"Our new lead tinning services underscores our dedication to quality while promoting sustainability in the electronics industry," said Grant Zellmer, Operations Manager at BEST Inc. "By combining advanced technology with efficient service, we strive to meet the evolving needs of our customers while contributing positively to the environment."

BEST Inc. invites businesses in need of reliable lead tinning and component salvage services to contact us for inquiries or to discuss specific project requirements. Our experienced team is ready to assist customers in enhancing their electronic component quality and sustainability initiatives.